tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32104417079356627072024-03-12T19:22:23.221-04:00bethanyg blogsbethanyghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04688400173712636411noreply@blogger.comBlogger101125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3210441707935662707.post-91773353961807581672012-10-07T12:37:00.001-04:002012-10-07T12:38:43.725-04:00Fall Is Here, Definitely!<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I love this time of year! The colors this year are incredible and it makes me cherish and be thankful every single day. I find myself driving certain streets to see those particular leaves. I drove to my old (new) job and the drive there was magical. I don't recall seeing the colors so bright for so long~usually it's rained the leaves down or even snowed them down when they've been this bright. Just gorgeous.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And speaking of gorgeous (nice segway, eh?)</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIQM9JUci8EuGelYNGi-k6xju9WbA-DaWb-OrCSVEGgNEj-Zn1HR03B2tmxzg5NPMd8hTXznwgEOhSrFjTIMFBrlAl8ttadkFN4YfVBwg837XbQcQBaZVKNOUs_N2_KMeIL7Q1Q9nxEm1J/s1600/DSC_0319.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIQM9JUci8EuGelYNGi-k6xju9WbA-DaWb-OrCSVEGgNEj-Zn1HR03B2tmxzg5NPMd8hTXznwgEOhSrFjTIMFBrlAl8ttadkFN4YfVBwg837XbQcQBaZVKNOUs_N2_KMeIL7Q1Q9nxEm1J/s320/DSC_0319.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinhQYP3vmZwvf3wZVH5zNvNztK00odHwyvI3tsAxzWQ0Z5FgvNNp_EcRru3CjxqG28YYu8ZN2EyBXen3A6TBhdhVnD7XXURIoUtcdGRMl2N-atVYaazedkNSpc4gsru_9bBIlNuN6LPd5N/s1600/DSC_0415.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinhQYP3vmZwvf3wZVH5zNvNztK00odHwyvI3tsAxzWQ0Z5FgvNNp_EcRru3CjxqG28YYu8ZN2EyBXen3A6TBhdhVnD7XXURIoUtcdGRMl2N-atVYaazedkNSpc4gsru_9bBIlNuN6LPd5N/s320/DSC_0415.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj39QN0N_L6JYy_w7Vsy9TCaf7xjqqZwwldUtV2sZ9lkl2Xua9J6shWW50nKuiaJq0pUxLOn-ZphsSJvv7SVOdDX4q91VdzqLKd5_3FQzHPwhGraFz4wnN-VfiJ9Xgf8LrcQ8yAezoaS97O/s1600/DSC_0335.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj39QN0N_L6JYy_w7Vsy9TCaf7xjqqZwwldUtV2sZ9lkl2Xua9J6shWW50nKuiaJq0pUxLOn-ZphsSJvv7SVOdDX4q91VdzqLKd5_3FQzHPwhGraFz4wnN-VfiJ9Xgf8LrcQ8yAezoaS97O/s320/DSC_0335.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0NRkYAtG2IZouWVN4o9UO4D0B2fTMsyNbeJ8zxtAkEAp-bPSlOYfghym-ZM_sVuehw1pDp7emt6dEPDfsijKdjrCKpK1BBJbFJwSUDqnkQ2vrMSjOFNkxFJI8IBiC-vTC5hrjEV7FIwSQ/s1600/DSC_0355.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0NRkYAtG2IZouWVN4o9UO4D0B2fTMsyNbeJ8zxtAkEAp-bPSlOYfghym-ZM_sVuehw1pDp7emt6dEPDfsijKdjrCKpK1BBJbFJwSUDqnkQ2vrMSjOFNkxFJI8IBiC-vTC5hrjEV7FIwSQ/s320/DSC_0355.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGPividDLfb9Z7t3cPx_KM7gJuctGj_skREMnSsUDkDsCpPMszlcRaIyyZVacHRaZPDRzV2csVKZApuuFxWAKMu83m5g7ky7baCLBwjmIS_l0Y9h87FupyFHWVTAFVOuOXKOAbzKAdpO0a/s1600/DSC_0389.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGPividDLfb9Z7t3cPx_KM7gJuctGj_skREMnSsUDkDsCpPMszlcRaIyyZVacHRaZPDRzV2csVKZApuuFxWAKMu83m5g7ky7baCLBwjmIS_l0Y9h87FupyFHWVTAFVOuOXKOAbzKAdpO0a/s320/DSC_0389.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJgwwxzw9tIVpcwzscrtCWgQ5fV5ux-eB-x2pBxYYt24gnaSRjYDMI5KHgjAwT0KOi7tYz-SzLZ5LEeanfuNzbO10-g9_DwjmvIyxyQa8sBc2HGhiYJc6qJcFHte6xRlouCKPPy4dOzqvB/s1600/DSC_0410.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJgwwxzw9tIVpcwzscrtCWgQ5fV5ux-eB-x2pBxYYt24gnaSRjYDMI5KHgjAwT0KOi7tYz-SzLZ5LEeanfuNzbO10-g9_DwjmvIyxyQa8sBc2HGhiYJc6qJcFHte6xRlouCKPPy4dOzqvB/s320/DSC_0410.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig8CEBE3uK5GY0voV09NHWVK8EKibB0WY7R9sxMvHVPbcju8XNrLFZfOaYL0LqIVkRd-NIpTu-PntEzEOKNVYuufCrkDNw1sTKVjTQ4DY0WH6c7VtP5tTLBxMXG83KGtz6W0VEODMCM8d9/s1600/DSC_0412.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig8CEBE3uK5GY0voV09NHWVK8EKibB0WY7R9sxMvHVPbcju8XNrLFZfOaYL0LqIVkRd-NIpTu-PntEzEOKNVYuufCrkDNw1sTKVjTQ4DY0WH6c7VtP5tTLBxMXG83KGtz6W0VEODMCM8d9/s320/DSC_0412.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBpAmP6PpeHp4xUpwd0fUfr27ys35VcylDjYUZyu-VD_49d5i6R8t6lTxFD4d1QbQ-2aTghXkx9AFzKWJiHWYZlihB0NCja9-HYRysspKJvSiTsEBMgSC0V8cqhc8nmQwaNQ3fxG6BbSPK/s1600/DSC_0436.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBpAmP6PpeHp4xUpwd0fUfr27ys35VcylDjYUZyu-VD_49d5i6R8t6lTxFD4d1QbQ-2aTghXkx9AFzKWJiHWYZlihB0NCja9-HYRysspKJvSiTsEBMgSC0V8cqhc8nmQwaNQ3fxG6BbSPK/s320/DSC_0436.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqhSSObKtPqUdyITx_8nvxulFUdqpmWqaB_QyGVSmPcgQTmagmjOTui5VZh2Q6bPa_fLHgMv270i8wzYHCGEarFGiLb3tt6j2E-Ljd7ZBWUoN_i8Ygeqp5yZRHOcIXFMyftRInF6SelK-u/s1600/DSC_0449.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqhSSObKtPqUdyITx_8nvxulFUdqpmWqaB_QyGVSmPcgQTmagmjOTui5VZh2Q6bPa_fLHgMv270i8wzYHCGEarFGiLb3tt6j2E-Ljd7ZBWUoN_i8Ygeqp5yZRHOcIXFMyftRInF6SelK-u/s320/DSC_0449.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />bethanyghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04688400173712636411noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3210441707935662707.post-2300787545559866002012-08-06T15:23:00.001-04:002012-08-06T15:23:40.032-04:00Fairy Blessings<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Blessings come in many disguises and some are downright overt. We were blessed to have fairies <i>come to our house</i>. Not your run-of-the-mill tooth fairy, which is pretty exciting in it's own right, but we have proof that fairies exist. They brought gifts and moved right in. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Last week the girls and I came home and found something on our front porch. Two somethings. Two, beautiful somethings. Our porch was covered with fairy dust, too. And a poem. A story, a clue. We read, and started looking. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I'd grabbed the camera when I saw these things out the front door. I shooed the girls out with a "OH MY GOSH! Get out there, right now!" I was behind them so I couldn't get all the face shots, but let me assure you, they were near tears. There were shrieks of excitement, and heavy breaths and "GO GET DAD!" was shouted. "Oh my gosh, I'm going to die. Are you serious!? Look, LOOK!" But they were so intent on looking carefully at what was left for us, to make our gardens beautiful and inviting and wondrous. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I'm not sure "blessed" is even a strong enough word for how I feel. Amazed, awed, ... </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Here. Just look.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Ff5mZX0IgvUDcJrG2n9oFwm7i9VcZZs4yRIEm-xtVOIXvshIGl8HGD-D0wYOPLhqYDhFhO166pynx22HcICSiKEUeOVqPFWoGqYJeTdQX5wUYlVkq7frIxAbG3W03nbUNCRdMWe010aV/s1600/DSC_0445.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Ff5mZX0IgvUDcJrG2n9oFwm7i9VcZZs4yRIEm-xtVOIXvshIGl8HGD-D0wYOPLhqYDhFhO166pynx22HcICSiKEUeOVqPFWoGqYJeTdQX5wUYlVkq7frIxAbG3W03nbUNCRdMWe010aV/s320/DSC_0445.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-yfPTbh5xXREC5sH93IyCljV-ajV7vjbB1EfzJjMpoaNYfOKidu7fJInnDqpDZ4NLKQhIbZqdaZxWxgUV9Ram2qLzosJofiPgtyRKasrbyGrynMtnFxJZBCIXQR4OHKlkU3C6TORqO05C/s1600/DSC_0474.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-yfPTbh5xXREC5sH93IyCljV-ajV7vjbB1EfzJjMpoaNYfOKidu7fJInnDqpDZ4NLKQhIbZqdaZxWxgUV9Ram2qLzosJofiPgtyRKasrbyGrynMtnFxJZBCIXQR4OHKlkU3C6TORqO05C/s320/DSC_0474.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU_us5OjpPJbHt_OpyWnGFZtAa2JDe8Tnh0cxsp4KtBYIzTkXhcCQWQly5PLa1mRqXtGP0UgmO2vnJSFAH4W_lB1v4N5F5TeimyTtW3DTIlf5FCGjsP3sgGWbYztuCsBHcIVIC5eK7a64y/s1600/DSC_0449.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU_us5OjpPJbHt_OpyWnGFZtAa2JDe8Tnh0cxsp4KtBYIzTkXhcCQWQly5PLa1mRqXtGP0UgmO2vnJSFAH4W_lB1v4N5F5TeimyTtW3DTIlf5FCGjsP3sgGWbYztuCsBHcIVIC5eK7a64y/s320/DSC_0449.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpziYfS3pHPB2E0jX7tub5BnIQNoBUoxzdWqzjYBwuKwHU4bH2JXtv2Z8fiv_F5s7CMP0-lIJGK7dVYOxKOTRWEPNxBPJYzzeapK1ELu6HdJy7_179h0ibLCaJxz5RYaf3eoQjlIARhCZ0/s1600/DSC_0453.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpziYfS3pHPB2E0jX7tub5BnIQNoBUoxzdWqzjYBwuKwHU4bH2JXtv2Z8fiv_F5s7CMP0-lIJGK7dVYOxKOTRWEPNxBPJYzzeapK1ELu6HdJy7_179h0ibLCaJxz5RYaf3eoQjlIARhCZ0/s320/DSC_0453.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9MaEe3YEe6adEdFgyy4F3uXzV6jFw3cNb-BNZWmq2vofSTBArs-iMcVfPcec4o81w8HqUQbgwzWvHDy2YDP4ttlDQlACv5hHxurfPficW5iI6hWpkvrcKfhKHbY8ys0r2Jxo0xwv9xRy7/s1600/DSC_0451.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9MaEe3YEe6adEdFgyy4F3uXzV6jFw3cNb-BNZWmq2vofSTBArs-iMcVfPcec4o81w8HqUQbgwzWvHDy2YDP4ttlDQlACv5hHxurfPficW5iI6hWpkvrcKfhKHbY8ys0r2Jxo0xwv9xRy7/s320/DSC_0451.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvRGUjOFUhV6227wIkxu8zmUtTp6R_9EiI37KwJ5h8JAXobAcoFhtg2X40GNd9LdOmT7wJ33ySnNibqLxX-D3B0Czp6J4ZLP42f171qck7wMLGoWY_KnV7rxAtu_MZ7W_6da0H8lpumsVi/s1600/DSC_0457.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvRGUjOFUhV6227wIkxu8zmUtTp6R_9EiI37KwJ5h8JAXobAcoFhtg2X40GNd9LdOmT7wJ33ySnNibqLxX-D3B0Czp6J4ZLP42f171qck7wMLGoWY_KnV7rxAtu_MZ7W_6da0H8lpumsVi/s320/DSC_0457.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6L_BeLojERCoNDks2vlq8sDyXdhiEqn7_F3EYQegRHXo1SJbdaWIZhsaVGF2Hv0JvHpSgWZR19G9wuBZfW4s0xon0JkzWmbpYUAnR5sSHsUiq93B0OnXDQfj63ZnPx8hGBY05XXD-5GjN/s1600/DSC_0458.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6L_BeLojERCoNDks2vlq8sDyXdhiEqn7_F3EYQegRHXo1SJbdaWIZhsaVGF2Hv0JvHpSgWZR19G9wuBZfW4s0xon0JkzWmbpYUAnR5sSHsUiq93B0OnXDQfj63ZnPx8hGBY05XXD-5GjN/s320/DSC_0458.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwJgHUWODXbWUAFufm2nFS9SW9CAelrxZ8WFb-0KEBj5zIgVkUiu27SLzN_n5KKLgGRN6Rx75wkTfd6P0CPlj_fNSXr3Hgo3yLHsBEDWwD22GJjyPOjyDkwo3HmDxBNS2A6iHeg37S9N58/s1600/DSC_0459.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwJgHUWODXbWUAFufm2nFS9SW9CAelrxZ8WFb-0KEBj5zIgVkUiu27SLzN_n5KKLgGRN6Rx75wkTfd6P0CPlj_fNSXr3Hgo3yLHsBEDWwD22GJjyPOjyDkwo3HmDxBNS2A6iHeg37S9N58/s320/DSC_0459.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi65CSesxdxrn3Z6iEncaNXuAoxbE0Wh1o0qNIdO5ZnT4IgfuaJfhg7hfD5e28SEVsy6WnxcqwlgksNeQHH3Fqx-TuBLEpxD9N8m7FNQPFJfj6XC7p9uYH0-vPN9V4YS0N0LKB6EtMO5KsS/s1600/DSC_0461.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi65CSesxdxrn3Z6iEncaNXuAoxbE0Wh1o0qNIdO5ZnT4IgfuaJfhg7hfD5e28SEVsy6WnxcqwlgksNeQHH3Fqx-TuBLEpxD9N8m7FNQPFJfj6XC7p9uYH0-vPN9V4YS0N0LKB6EtMO5KsS/s320/DSC_0461.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3aZTYFRmiq-lkHJArCq33kzyI8TJ-a4gi2Pi_EgoC2A3O3_d9svvqUkP6i306HYoIJkKSbQkyic_pj6_JezHdQCZn2o9JaxOBrn2Kg9TJyBmi5L-AqN54sjVlk7N27QlKPyJ-EMTjN40d/s1600/DSC_0463.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3aZTYFRmiq-lkHJArCq33kzyI8TJ-a4gi2Pi_EgoC2A3O3_d9svvqUkP6i306HYoIJkKSbQkyic_pj6_JezHdQCZn2o9JaxOBrn2Kg9TJyBmi5L-AqN54sjVlk7N27QlKPyJ-EMTjN40d/s320/DSC_0463.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglIBWcqa1nBl8i4BVbR_t1o4gM-OevQ5f1cCYx6Rvz8_D-IKnrvDqUVwdM0JpCoyf85rlDZ-YQeXnfMuaw2_TzXOkKYWupdGyjpUhI6PzxYqaYn3_RkcPss2njrUA2E6z4yhuhMGxbs1OW/s1600/DSC_0464.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglIBWcqa1nBl8i4BVbR_t1o4gM-OevQ5f1cCYx6Rvz8_D-IKnrvDqUVwdM0JpCoyf85rlDZ-YQeXnfMuaw2_TzXOkKYWupdGyjpUhI6PzxYqaYn3_RkcPss2njrUA2E6z4yhuhMGxbs1OW/s320/DSC_0464.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifeMzUmhFVJ5XX7006dhEgvAavgSX0RdoniqfJm3pNLDEryzKgDFq1jYBc9vkETRvBnKhWvlxH6N5oGVdg3ppteY1VTV0hSE2QqC5LBjTWcVYHuYBCTZdA26fpYF_n04AWeCy-oqSE1lc_/s1600/DSC_0466.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifeMzUmhFVJ5XX7006dhEgvAavgSX0RdoniqfJm3pNLDEryzKgDFq1jYBc9vkETRvBnKhWvlxH6N5oGVdg3ppteY1VTV0hSE2QqC5LBjTWcVYHuYBCTZdA26fpYF_n04AWeCy-oqSE1lc_/s320/DSC_0466.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI1Lp7WFSa4FFzTs6B-vhxR20SZY3ydE4X5Go-RSe9tbHfmGqVUPMYDyWk7nQu0AfhXHhj6qwtcazXBU6E_UrDwwMwNTTYXBcJgVD5WBgQXbHixmR0ZkQSs6ZJvKXewnCUSnydkV4iUf4k/s1600/DSC_0468.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI1Lp7WFSa4FFzTs6B-vhxR20SZY3ydE4X5Go-RSe9tbHfmGqVUPMYDyWk7nQu0AfhXHhj6qwtcazXBU6E_UrDwwMwNTTYXBcJgVD5WBgQXbHixmR0ZkQSs6ZJvKXewnCUSnydkV4iUf4k/s320/DSC_0468.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGoEjzV2TXBhIZQlugKzuyJQjTjyJw6XEDXQReih0iH2gbjT5q2I2dJydJHw3lFzX9i4tzhkSzPE2iGuVvDdMKDhds1F4AG68LD3S_6d5iG3QQDqIMT7KH-3nIWtTyCAuzw4dk4xTRan43/s1600/DSC_0471.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGoEjzV2TXBhIZQlugKzuyJQjTjyJw6XEDXQReih0iH2gbjT5q2I2dJydJHw3lFzX9i4tzhkSzPE2iGuVvDdMKDhds1F4AG68LD3S_6d5iG3QQDqIMT7KH-3nIWtTyCAuzw4dk4xTRan43/s320/DSC_0471.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim7nYmmlY9SUvehNPE4aqDcDqZfzerd4STHsw7Kaj1mWoJheyXwGVAnnWuRRXtR7HmSCmtv5la8A67f5VrXGJG1KOCg6ixCLKu1Vfhl-hmoaFVfv61u__aHBHC_fNV3N7MAyqiBUidyVpt/s1600/DSC_0472.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim7nYmmlY9SUvehNPE4aqDcDqZfzerd4STHsw7Kaj1mWoJheyXwGVAnnWuRRXtR7HmSCmtv5la8A67f5VrXGJG1KOCg6ixCLKu1Vfhl-hmoaFVfv61u__aHBHC_fNV3N7MAyqiBUidyVpt/s320/DSC_0472.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeH3iG3ygHU8iRA4yxFbcN_-HlRqQD6y5tVBmexxMX3oMy95w7M93upLSqnpabJMZV4KriZn8DC-Vqewk-u-2nisNYyogH2UfRBGpegeU8U588_9_u7EZS8O1y50Bk8xqG8ZX07oSF00Jc/s1600/DSC_0469.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeH3iG3ygHU8iRA4yxFbcN_-HlRqQD6y5tVBmexxMX3oMy95w7M93upLSqnpabJMZV4KriZn8DC-Vqewk-u-2nisNYyogH2UfRBGpegeU8U588_9_u7EZS8O1y50Bk8xqG8ZX07oSF00Jc/s320/DSC_0469.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">So when you need a little magic, or need a little strength, need a little fairy dust or to believe in something, think of these girls and the pure amazement they felt. Think of the wonderment and complete joy these girls feel every time they go out to check the fairy house, every time they see their beautiful books left to them by the fairies!! They kept the fairy dust and believe so much!! They have made the world amazingly beautiful again. Thank you fairies!</span>bethanyghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04688400173712636411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3210441707935662707.post-13492017704648806942012-07-17T19:15:00.000-04:002012-07-17T19:17:58.016-04:00Fairy Finders<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Woah! We're not going to go into how long it's been. We're not going to mention that I don't even recognize the Blogger options anymore. We're just going to get into the important parts! <i>Thanks</i> for coming back and checking us out though!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Since the last day of school-this year, honest!-the girls (who ARE huge now, yes) have wanted to make a "fairy group". One that goes around to different parks and looks for signs of fairies, leaves little offerings, builds a fairy home or two, and documents their findings. Today was the first official meeting of the "FAIRY FINDERS". </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We planned and organized. We made little clip boards and flower pens (hooray for using up craft-stash!) We got bags together with some fairy "carpets" and fairy balls we've found around the yard, with a camera or two, binoculars and magnifying glasses. We invited friends. Last night Derek and I made shirts for the girls. We were ready!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVL-nXVlFwYU4obbOa6LydH8sJNMS6rhLoREu__pI4i2pHaeTO2x1QgJiTduZGgjB6RN5wuPwzBzhFInXWXOFXzfzQItKHCA8jiErTka10ig4CngtjZUueZHNLhH2TDy-3sGhpg0sfKzRr/s1600/DSC_0312+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVL-nXVlFwYU4obbOa6LydH8sJNMS6rhLoREu__pI4i2pHaeTO2x1QgJiTduZGgjB6RN5wuPwzBzhFInXWXOFXzfzQItKHCA8jiErTka10ig4CngtjZUueZHNLhH2TDy-3sGhpg0sfKzRr/s320/DSC_0312+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX7ZMU1sEb61gUkYi5Ngb5T7YNy_DTMQm2CGDaP8GB8FW1u-HMh44tUdl3E8AszzhzpInzUK3n9RpPgsxwqXWh5QcjwcupWpvd21kuGm9S2f_bwDQ1rl7l3U2LtIHrOiEV7tUt0wAOms9i/s1600/DSC_0319.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX7ZMU1sEb61gUkYi5Ngb5T7YNy_DTMQm2CGDaP8GB8FW1u-HMh44tUdl3E8AszzhzpInzUK3n9RpPgsxwqXWh5QcjwcupWpvd21kuGm9S2f_bwDQ1rl7l3U2LtIHrOiEV7tUt0wAOms9i/s200/DSC_0319.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4eMH7TzLL9F5ohlhy0Pk6Rw6rZS8uS7dxSHB31-HDzMnmN3LZPgtSLkJ2t7_-AKcGNgYdsgA99kKreeFiz5seH8ES5-wn0i1oajfbSmGBLUWvuN5sIjwsJCqh9Lr6lsMpQ4ebxQArQyeU/s1600/DSC_0313+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4eMH7TzLL9F5ohlhy0Pk6Rw6rZS8uS7dxSHB31-HDzMnmN3LZPgtSLkJ2t7_-AKcGNgYdsgA99kKreeFiz5seH8ES5-wn0i1oajfbSmGBLUWvuN5sIjwsJCqh9Lr6lsMpQ4ebxQArQyeU/s200/DSC_0313+2.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Details of clipboards</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7-XVP3P1cCX3pAwbcaHPjA-gjOXIWdJJVLBxeWOWR3YesaqY0xE_p6t1L5dhq0m0tvlhCShAL_f3o56wNkjXGRixPi2L4SFuXn5ed-I0lOtYKm_9DC8ZeEN6wtyvcLlV_VGDV6Oqk-XID/s1600/DSC_0322.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7-XVP3P1cCX3pAwbcaHPjA-gjOXIWdJJVLBxeWOWR3YesaqY0xE_p6t1L5dhq0m0tvlhCShAL_f3o56wNkjXGRixPi2L4SFuXn5ed-I0lOtYKm_9DC8ZeEN6wtyvcLlV_VGDV6Oqk-XID/s320/DSC_0322.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Goosie and Peanut, Official Fairy Finders</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyUrJOC7XSUc5Tr93Th-DoHO7PN42ik6_IYoFyP8HbV-F-_azPur7GO9A0zaBCirxOcrsk9FTGt5Jnkfi_eoBg-ppe1xZ1RwA9wZWpmLYbcnxS-s7uJnjeSmG0yZwmouR0xJHFqcFhCVpz/s1600/DSC_0324.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyUrJOC7XSUc5Tr93Th-DoHO7PN42ik6_IYoFyP8HbV-F-_azPur7GO9A0zaBCirxOcrsk9FTGt5Jnkfi_eoBg-ppe1xZ1RwA9wZWpmLYbcnxS-s7uJnjeSmG0yZwmouR0xJHFqcFhCVpz/s320/DSC_0324.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzMGtlMJ0-cWWPP03h9Rt8AfwU2V1K8tVPmBnwaqUbnUtIeuhsQq6Ied1Po0-T9rdCIRQvSs74Cf0hYjr4hXv1gpqQfCfFpnEiwqCXNaNC11J3cAArMlshhPpe_cqEZP-D-dPiFboNAHzV/s1600/DSC_0325.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzMGtlMJ0-cWWPP03h9Rt8AfwU2V1K8tVPmBnwaqUbnUtIeuhsQq6Ied1Po0-T9rdCIRQvSs74Cf0hYjr4hXv1gpqQfCfFpnEiwqCXNaNC11J3cAArMlshhPpe_cqEZP-D-dPiFboNAHzV/s320/DSC_0325.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">"Looks like a Fairy Queen Chair"</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyWktl3Iq73Xwc7vwPh04cHo14H0TUtQf5JCACO-OjFypDkjEunyEaD9BnpK4QJWXIg7gJWzbEIoDAte9e0WjNObEwMje-eiaiwHNZggfyxx3PVIu0ENwN-vaYwGQzh1H0ODrHNmzmkc8n/s1600/DSC_0327.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyWktl3Iq73Xwc7vwPh04cHo14H0TUtQf5JCACO-OjFypDkjEunyEaD9BnpK4QJWXIg7gJWzbEIoDAte9e0WjNObEwMje-eiaiwHNZggfyxx3PVIu0ENwN-vaYwGQzh1H0ODrHNmzmkc8n/s320/DSC_0327.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We think the fairies put this red flag out to warn each others when humans are around!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0EJlIYsD3FsYRsAr9ceqffTBKKckuDfhxn4N6ETOFbzRzqX-dSqfdH2S0Dw0l116FQrbwuU0h3t09LABjB-EIb_ZmncD6V7b6QlBNEjvMGnGL5KMNGRWxSDDHN6MourTTC5wqOt9vgmnE/s1600/DSC_0330.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0EJlIYsD3FsYRsAr9ceqffTBKKckuDfhxn4N6ETOFbzRzqX-dSqfdH2S0Dw0l116FQrbwuU0h3t09LABjB-EIb_ZmncD6V7b6QlBNEjvMGnGL5KMNGRWxSDDHN6MourTTC5wqOt9vgmnE/s320/DSC_0330.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ikrIr1l3ujoeknlNBMefbjCpXt-FMURY9SaBHK066anI5Lud52tPkDkMcsSTLa6Hfcd0xjk-vkb0Xp-NcEvRaCfhX9IpNmIJ6GshyphenhyphenntUyx3fe-XSgqTwSIIRNALbsY6RYaZB_YZb7znE/s1600/DSC_0335.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ikrIr1l3ujoeknlNBMefbjCpXt-FMURY9SaBHK066anI5Lud52tPkDkMcsSTLa6Hfcd0xjk-vkb0Xp-NcEvRaCfhX9IpNmIJ6GshyphenhyphenntUyx3fe-XSgqTwSIIRNALbsY6RYaZB_YZb7znE/s320/DSC_0335.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Fairy art!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-oMMFAsD91UgrUpSZVQMA340sQqSaU5zMTQFvymBZzW1eTiboccGrjnvILd-7wV0kqwJOg1VAPLZDwr8aJhNChw5mwydn4Hte80X-Bxj7iJbLNWe6BknjBEtblcmTCROR64gXb_zZIik_/s1600/DSC_0334.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-oMMFAsD91UgrUpSZVQMA340sQqSaU5zMTQFvymBZzW1eTiboccGrjnvILd-7wV0kqwJOg1VAPLZDwr8aJhNChw5mwydn4Hte80X-Bxj7iJbLNWe6BknjBEtblcmTCROR64gXb_zZIik_/s320/DSC_0334.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhar1lo04yyqNVgLIf2-fjN3wvQokrssiDbwozJY59Rj1yzQ06Gmlv3Bwi7hRhgn3mGdNLp4ue9ivWUEkUEzl6B3PUDuVPFMBLRTVleqmFCcZxa-KEaqyCJ1j7YFh21Mey0AHv8LkUDKNFI/s1600/DSC_0331.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhar1lo04yyqNVgLIf2-fjN3wvQokrssiDbwozJY59Rj1yzQ06Gmlv3Bwi7hRhgn3mGdNLp4ue9ivWUEkUEzl6B3PUDuVPFMBLRTVleqmFCcZxa-KEaqyCJ1j7YFh21Mey0AHv8LkUDKNFI/s320/DSC_0331.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Fairy writing? "M" and a butterfly!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp-pavhVLn04Mf0x8Z3sxp_4NxJHV2sXlHumj-Xcs7LHoEK6vUZEttUc-VNAKTwyncrnsiVvFGGg_qeCs6J4ZAmG8G8aITmfeb5dnKq0z9REYpAC1ahbcPAB5JJ8u6J7KVkMRhD0KJJsMF/s1600/DSC_0357.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp-pavhVLn04Mf0x8Z3sxp_4NxJHV2sXlHumj-Xcs7LHoEK6vUZEttUc-VNAKTwyncrnsiVvFGGg_qeCs6J4ZAmG8G8aITmfeb5dnKq0z9REYpAC1ahbcPAB5JJ8u6J7KVkMRhD0KJJsMF/s320/DSC_0357.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">More writing! We need to figure out the fairy alphabet!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNaOv6bpXSYvTQuOrvbEXsOho3P9wJpctfpFep1aGTEid5n852aAr3eJm9jDSPOlivjO8PwgkeI8u1v6YmH1yxBGzZxXbDzMKjpO9mnH_EnYQ6vstBIkiG04t4dz6HJE0We3tA3r6MyjXv/s1600/DSC_0348.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNaOv6bpXSYvTQuOrvbEXsOho3P9wJpctfpFep1aGTEid5n852aAr3eJm9jDSPOlivjO8PwgkeI8u1v6YmH1yxBGzZxXbDzMKjpO9mnH_EnYQ6vstBIkiG04t4dz6HJE0We3tA3r6MyjXv/s320/DSC_0348.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Leaving the fairies goodies, making some furniture inside a fairy house.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNxYEywPuWDV3d33bNMNw0WIBh-m0RwTiNbpk3FKQ36h6ub6W5w1rEwxqUb8zM_aSD12yNZ1TDU93H5TmcVg2tK2DBr-f4aMvgVAN4XKY7E-1AEJDJAVPpA3fpmNWHb1DNQhIlsWOELB2Z/s1600/DSC_0355.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNxYEywPuWDV3d33bNMNw0WIBh-m0RwTiNbpk3FKQ36h6ub6W5w1rEwxqUb8zM_aSD12yNZ1TDU93H5TmcVg2tK2DBr-f4aMvgVAN4XKY7E-1AEJDJAVPpA3fpmNWHb1DNQhIlsWOELB2Z/s320/DSC_0355.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5k2dlZUH-NN9Ymv4E5A3chn5wW6FnH7ZioIuWcCkF3p3R-AP3PAi6pRqIv6c2hKps1TqZBOJe35fnb_gqkjd_N5TtZ7tSDUwMtWdz9uyPZ1qMYrXx-9XkGXeH8EQ29kdUsHekUPiMOuGy/s1600/DSC_0360.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5k2dlZUH-NN9Ymv4E5A3chn5wW6FnH7ZioIuWcCkF3p3R-AP3PAi6pRqIv6c2hKps1TqZBOJe35fnb_gqkjd_N5TtZ7tSDUwMtWdz9uyPZ1qMYrXx-9XkGXeH8EQ29kdUsHekUPiMOuGy/s320/DSC_0360.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The whole Fairy Finders crew!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Well, there was one more little guy, but he was not about being slow and looking for signs of fairies. He was too busy being adorable! Honestly, look at this face.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO4X7Oi1SYfGecoHDL0snw1wDwW5CCOaTuCV_VmwAks9fnNWRhbtt5PZqDkyZM8dPxHDvl77MlrFhpZBMWaZEn_gwFS-tqD3ABQ0Pyq3N4BSpxzPJ8Xea3F4g447YHuDt1wv9EgepulVpk/s1600/DSC_0342.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO4X7Oi1SYfGecoHDL0snw1wDwW5CCOaTuCV_VmwAks9fnNWRhbtt5PZqDkyZM8dPxHDvl77MlrFhpZBMWaZEn_gwFS-tqD3ABQ0Pyq3N4BSpxzPJ8Xea3F4g447YHuDt1wv9EgepulVpk/s320/DSC_0342.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">So that was our morning. We left with great evidence and wonderful documentation of fairy existence. Notes were made on the clip boards, and the girls plan to keep the notes together for each park, and then make them into a book. Goosie reasoned that of course there are fairies! "I mean, the Tooth Fairy comes and takes my tooth when I lose one, so that's only one type of fairy."</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Sigh, <i>love! </i>When we got home, we watched a movie about fairy houses and there is a little girl who questions her aunt, "Do you believe in fairies?" The aunt tells the little girl to listen to a conch shell. She asks, "What do you hear?" The little girl replies, "The ocean!" The aunt further asks, "Is the ocean really in there?" The girl shakes her head 'no'. The aunt says, "It's the essence of the ocean in there, and I believe the essence of fairies is all around us." </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I like that sentiment. It's magical and wonder-full, and it keeps us using our imaginations in this house every single day. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">*See <a href="http://www.fairyhouses.com/" target="_blank">http://www.fairyhouses.com/</a> for more fairy wonderment and access to the Fairy Houses book and video referenced here.</span>bethanyghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04688400173712636411noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3210441707935662707.post-29216091243627405182012-03-02T13:03:00.001-05:002012-03-02T13:06:56.453-05:00Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!Hello! It’s Dr. Seuss’ birthday today <br />and it makes me want to say <br />all things in Dr. Seuss speak, <br />be silly in every way.<br /><br />For breakfast we’ll have a pancake stack, <br />A red one, then a white <br />A bigger one for the bottom, <br />The top one small and light.<br /><br />We’ll wear our red and white socks <br />and get ready to go to school <br />where we’ll play and learn and read and write <br />and be all kinds of cool.<br /><br />Later it’s knit night, and my what a thrill <br />it’s been a couple months! <br />So to Panera I’ll go, <br />I plan to run up a bill.<br /><br />I wish all a great, great, great day <br />full of love and warmth, <br />knitting and tea and treats <br />and whatever comes your way.<br /><br />I’m wishing you good thoughts <br />and you’re in my mind and in my heart <br />It’s not much that I can do, <br />but I will play my part.<br /><br />So hugs here, hugs there, <br />hugs everywhere! <br />Have a fantastic day! <br />It’s Dr. Seuss’ Birthday <br />Hooray hooray hooray!!bethanyghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04688400173712636411noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3210441707935662707.post-34914831000979658842012-01-31T10:26:00.003-05:002012-01-31T10:37:49.221-05:00Small MomentsI'm sitting in a local cafe' enjoying a fantastic latte' with my Peanut. She has a vanilla milk that she tells me is excellent. "They makes this really good here" she says. I'm relishing this moment and think, "I need to write this down. To remember her sweet face. To remember how straight her back is as she plays with the toys. How she crosses her little legs, clad in her Christmas dress and winter boots. How smart she is. How often she makes my eyes well up with happy tears."<div><br /></div><div>So, I'm writing it down. Later I'll try to add in the picture I took on my phone. I've not done that yet. My card reader has broken and I can't upload pictures on my computer. That's one of the reasons I'm so behind in posting. So much has happened with these babies--who aren't really babies anymore! But I'm cherishing the small moments. </div>bethanyghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04688400173712636411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3210441707935662707.post-22576140535542160492011-11-30T09:56:00.003-05:002011-11-30T11:09:37.838-05:00Commands, Demands, Pressures...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Are you feeling it? That certain "thing" in the air that makes you feel like you can't do anything right/in a timely manner/good enough/special enough? Or the "thing" that makes you feel like suddenly your home is dirtier than usual, the dinners are blander than usual, the clothes are shabbier than usual? The carpets suddenly have more stains and the smudgy windows are more apparent in the winter sunshine?</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Well, chuck it! I'm not going there this season! Not gonna do it, and I don't want you to either. If it's causing you stress, don't do it. It's not worth it, and some of it may just be in your mind. You know that no one in your family has starved. You know that your family enjoys the things you make and do for them, and it doesn't matter if it was 100% from scratch. You do the best you can do and they really do appreciate and benefit from it. This time of year is magical on it's own without you having to sprinkle sugar plum fairy dust around! So let it go!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Do your normal daily things. You do them well all the other times of the year and you still can now. Yes, there will be the additional parties, guests over, school events, church events, but take the time to breathe deeply and enjoy them for what they are. They aren't supposed to be status wars, they aren't supposed to be times to showcase the hottest new boots. They aren't supposed to see who can out-do the next person. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">This is a time to hold your family and friends closer, to let them all know that you love and appreciate them. To enjoy the magic of the season, which lives in all of us, not on the store shelves. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">So. Enjoy it. Sunshine or snow, sleet or slush. Twinkling lights, friends and family and a hot cup of cocoa. Or warm Vernors! Doesn't that sound good? (Don't breathe in when you tip the mug!) Cozy up, hug each other. Happy Holidays--all of them! Love, Peace and peace to you all.</span></div>bethanyghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04688400173712636411noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3210441707935662707.post-1691100436744228982011-11-08T11:15:00.003-05:002011-11-08T11:27:57.350-05:00I Haven't Forgotten<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Hi! I haven't forgotten this blog is here. It's just been...well, you know. Busy. As it is for us all. I have pictures of the girlies on their first days of school, doing adorable gymnastics, making kissy faces, in Halloween costumes. I have pictures of a silly kitty being cute and naughty. However, my computer hard drive is...full. Yep. Full. I need to do a back up on an external hard drive, but I also think I want to upgrade my flickr account and upload everything there, because we've had hard drives corrupt and the data not retrievable. I'd cry if that happened with pictures. Also, my phone has pictures on it that don't want to upload because of an error. I don't know if that's on the phone or the computer. So. No pictures.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">We're already being asked what the girls want for Christmas. They want lots of junk. Mommy and Daddy do not. I'm thinking family gifts of movie passes, museum passes, open gym passes. Leotards! Ha! A cleaning service. :) Oh wait, that goes on my list.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Anyway, I'm thinking about things we can do as a family. I'm thinking about kits of things - baking, scrapbooking, crafts- that we can just pull out and do AND have it be something we'll use. Like a picture frame, wire, eye-screw things and clips to make a hanging art area. Like canvasses with paints and brushes for art work we can hang in rooms. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">But who knows. It's so difficult to think about what the girls want vs. need. It's such a trivial thing when we consider the good fortune we have, the needs of so many world-wide and the real purpose for the holiday season. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">For now though? Lunch. I have to keep thinking of the next 10 minutes, otherwise my thoughts get rambling. Beware you few readers, of future rambling thoughts! :)</span></div>bethanyghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04688400173712636411noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3210441707935662707.post-89118082691591388272011-09-04T11:56:00.000-04:002011-09-04T11:56:43.420-04:00Fairy Land Remodel<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Early in the summer, the girls created fairy houses. They divided the area around the front tree into four by planting Marigolds. They made little wreaths, added "shiny things", had shells and rocks, a fairy pool. They planted little bushes (lettuce seeds). It was very cute. But as the summer wore on, the houses need sprucing up. It was decided that they'd make a whole Fairy Land this time. I added a couple touches for them. Here's a sign and an overview picture. (Pardon the Hexipuff on the sign here. I'll explain that later.) </span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20782829@N08/6112794180/" title="IMG_0359 by bethanygknits, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0359" height="240" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6072/6112794180_7a8e8ca079_m.jpg" width="180" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20782829@N08/6112791846/" title="IMG_0348 by bethanygknits, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0348" height="240" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6062/6112791846_4d949b786f_m.jpg" width="180" /></a><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">There is now a main entrance to the Fairy Land, with a gate and an arbor (and another Hexipuff!)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20782829@N08/6112791576/" title="IMG_0346 by bethanygknits, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0346" height="240" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6188/6112791576_087ce0c4d3_m.jpg" width="180" /></a><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Following the path to the left takes you to the Fairy House, complete with a clothesline (says Goosie) and/or a Limbo line (says Peanut).</span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20782829@N08/6112792172/" title="IMG_0349 by bethanygknits, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0349" height="240" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6192/6112792172_c01e9d949f_m.jpg" width="180" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20782829@N08/6112792434/" title="IMG_0350 by bethanygknits, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0350" height="240" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6206/6112792434_6458685492_m.jpg" width="180" /></a><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The side of the house is safeguarded by a friendly garden gnome, who oversees the garden area, the gazing ball and the planter-pot shelter. It's shadowed in there, but there is a fairy rug which was exciting proof the fairies had moved in earlier this summer! It was very exciting.</span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20782829@N08/6112250749/" title="IMG_0353 by bethanygknits, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0353" height="240" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6207/6112250749_4e63b98bc2_m.jpg" width="180" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20782829@N08/6112792708/" title="IMG_0351 by bethanygknits, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0351" height="240" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6061/6112792708_8a779b0a33_m.jpg" width="180" /></a><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">If you continue on the path, you will come to the dining/kitchen area. The girls made a table and picked some acorns and lettuce bolts to leave for the fairies. Some of the lettuce bolts were gone the next day! The fairies had a nice snack.</span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20782829@N08/6112792990/" title="IMG_0352 by bethanygknits, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0352" height="240" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6190/6112792990_0dfb229def_m.jpg" width="180" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20782829@N08/6112251289/" title="IMG_0361 by bethanygknits, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0361" height="240" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6203/6112251289_8bbe506025_m.jpg" width="180" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20782829@N08/6112251947/" title="IMG_0362 by bethanygknits, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0362" height="240" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6066/6112251947_40569ecc8e_m.jpg" width="180" /></a><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And last, but not least, Goosie asked me to make a small ball of yarn and needles for the fairies, in case they wanted to sit and knit for a bit. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20782829@N08/6112250959/" title="IMG_0358 by bethanygknits, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0358" height="240" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6200/6112250959_f3919ba659_m.jpg" width="180" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">*Sigh* I think I could move in here.</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
bethanyghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04688400173712636411noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3210441707935662707.post-49617138545606619362011-08-15T13:01:00.003-04:002011-08-15T13:05:32.888-04:00A New Family Member<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Last week, we went to look in the pet store, as we've done before. Oogled the fish, birds, giggled at the dogs drooling, and checked out the cats. This guy did this to us:</span>
<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20782829@N08/6022991226/" title="Oh sweet boy. by bethanygknits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6202/6022991226_6d0fc8eb8d_m.jpg" width="180" height="240" alt="Oh sweet boy." /></a>
<br />
<br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">And gave us kisses. I texted this pic to Derek and said "Uh oh". His response? "I get to name him/her." Yeah right. No way are we getting another pet! We're checking out the wild critters, the one picking his lock, the ones that wouldn't come to us, the ones hanging on the cages. </span>
<br />
<br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">But <i>this</i> one</span>
<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20782829@N08/6022432003/" title="Oh that face! by bethanygknits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6149/6022432003_4e008cdc2c_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="Oh that face!" /></a>
<br />
<br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Just kept being sweet. Then I turn around and my Goosie looks like this:</span>
<br />
<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20782829@N08/6022432647/" title=""I just really want a pet" by bethanygknits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6133/6022432647_0310e7030d_m.jpg" width="180" height="240" alt=""I just really want a pet"" /></a>
<br />
<br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">!? Honey what's wrong?! "I just want a pet! I don't care if it's a dog or a kitty, I just really want a pet!" Oh man. Quick, leave the store, but send a picture of this sweet face to Derek. We leave. I hug Goosie, and Derek calls. </span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">
<br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">"I don't care" he says. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">"Dude!" I say. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">"I know" he says. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">
<br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i>Sigh</i> I hug Goosie again and explain that we've said no more pets, but this one sure is sweet isn't he? <i>YES! (with sniffles)</i> We all talk about pet care, and both girls volunteer what they will do to help.
<br />
<br />We go back in to fill out the adoption paper. We give our 3 personal references. We give our pet history. Oh boy. We get to hold "Axel", who just purrs like mad as I flip him onto his back and kisses my hand more. Home we go. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">
<br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">I worry that I just became "that mom" who gave into her kid because she was crying, but anyone who knows me knows I'm NOT that mom. AT ALL! Even my girls know that! haha :) </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">
<br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Two hours later, we get a call that we can bring him home the next day. So. Here we are, with new kitty, who is officially named Reuben. Like the sandwich. He's a sweet, sweet boy, very smart, loves Derek. hahha!</span></div>bethanyghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04688400173712636411noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3210441707935662707.post-36161108680008015402011-06-27T14:30:00.001-04:002011-06-27T14:32:00.948-04:00Sing it, sister!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">"I am brave. I am a warrior!"</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">~Peanut, age 4</span></span>bethanyghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04688400173712636411noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3210441707935662707.post-9977252568444675132011-04-24T09:12:00.004-04:002011-04-24T09:22:33.394-04:00Hoppy Easter! In Pictures<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Happy Easter everyone! We've been busy preparing ourselves for Easter in all the ways, including, of course, crafting. Here's a smattering of what we've been up to:<br /></span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20782829@N08/5649559970/" title="Easter Goosie by bethanygknits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5303/5649559970_3fd5f8e557.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Easter Goosie" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20782829@N08/5649559572/" title="Pink! by bethanygknits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5310/5649559572_2d413970d1.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Pink!" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20782829@N08/5649556416/" title="Serious work here by bethanygknits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5150/5649556416_154606f38d.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Serious work here" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20782829@N08/5648994875/" title="Orange! by bethanygknits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5230/5648994875_c26f6eff36.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Orange!" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20782829@N08/5648992959/" title="Eggarland construction by bethanygknits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5227/5648992959_3f682186ee.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Eggarland construction" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20782829@N08/5648993203/" title="Eggarland construction by bethanygknits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5144/5648993203_aa2d6a4670.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Eggarland construction" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20782829@N08/5648997199/" title="Eggarland by bethanygknits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5024/5648997199_542e906b7d.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Eggarland" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20782829@N08/5649554514/" title="Nesting by bethanygknits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5266/5649554514_b748b7e05f.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Nesting" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20782829@N08/5648993749/" title="Bird nest! by bethanygknits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5308/5648993749_ff76ea3002.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Bird nest!" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20782829@N08/5649558866/" title="Flower cupcakes by bethanygknits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5224/5649558866_8b794701c8.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Flower cupcakes" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20782829@N08/5648996463/" title="Flower cupcakes by bethanygknits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5141/5648996463_8e32d3acfb.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Flower cupcakes" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20782829@N08/5649558010/" title="Felted buns by bethanygknits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5145/5649558010_65de6b35a2.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Felted buns" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20782829@N08/5648996057/" title="Basket time! by bethanygknits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5224/5648996057_3c6de10057.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Basket time!" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20782829@N08/5649556836/" title="Rapunzel makeup! by bethanygknits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5068/5649556836_08fc258b3b.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Rapunzel makeup!" /></a>bethanyghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04688400173712636411noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3210441707935662707.post-82168250220833449032011-04-04T16:23:00.005-04:002011-04-04T17:25:55.194-04:00Oh Baby!!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Hello there! It's been a while and I've been busy. Did I mention all the baby things happening around us? We know of 5 (I think) expecting friends that we know in person, one couple had their baby, one couple got their twins, and there are about 10 more friends I know online who are expecting or recently had their babies! It's babyland! So I've been creating since January. Here's a quick run down: </span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">One hospital hat with either a bear or a flower that could be pinned on.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20782829@N08/5590247808/" title="Hospital hat for boy by bethanygknits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5066/5590247808_9fd33396b9_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="Hospital hat for boy" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20782829@N08/5589657351/" title="Hospital hat for girl by bethanygknits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5268/5589657351_96e64d65bb_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="Hospital hat for girl" /></a><br /><br />We didn't know if this baby was going to be a boy or a girl. Turned out it was a boy, but I don't want to post his cute mug without mom's permission :)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Four blankets-3 girls, 1 boy:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20782829@N08/5396727929/" title="Garter and Bows by bethanygknits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5057/5396727929_60e11b8c21_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="Garter and Bows" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20782829@N08/5589522951/" title="Baby blanket peach by bethanygknits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5262/5589522951_e18b096f08_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="Baby blanket peach" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20782829@N08/5590114782/" title="Baby blanket blue by bethanygknits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5028/5590114782_10725f384d_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="Baby blanket blue" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20782829@N08/5590115298/" title="Baby Blanket-cotton candy pink by bethanygknits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5097/5590115298_05eeecdea6_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="Baby Blanket-cotton candy pink" /></a><br /><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">The <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/easy-baby-blanket-with-lace-option">blanket pattern</a> (Ravelry link or <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/stoke/content/articles/2006/04/15/easy_baby_blanket_with_lace_feature.shtml">look here</a>) is the same for each blanket, but I used different edges for each, and different yarn. The one with the ribbon is I Love This Yarn! and the other 3 are Baby Softee. Is that Bernat? (Yes, it is. I checked.)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Now, see that cotton candy pink one? It used to look like this:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20782829@N08/5589521841/" title="Crochet blanket, so pretty by bethanygknits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5021/5589521841_366923d43c_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="Crochet blanket, so pretty" /></a><br /><br />It was so pretty! A lovely <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/light-and-lacy-preemie-blanket">Ravelry pattern</a> (<a href="http://closetomyheart.freeservers.com/light_and_lacy_preemie_blanket.htm">or look here</a>) by my friend Brenda. It was my first crochet blanket, a huge undertaking for me! It was really nerve-wracking too and took way longer than I thought it would. And I messed it up.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20782829@N08/5589522251/" title="Crochet blanket-Ugh! by bethanygknits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5184/5589522251_276a3e2298_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="Crochet blanket-Ugh!" /></a><br /><br />Oh no! I lost stitches on the edge, a <i>lot</i>. At first it was no big deal, a stitch here and there could be camouflaged with a nice border, right? Right! But not this many lost stitches. Oops. This became an "UGH!" and I frogged it and it became the knitted blanket up above. <b>Please note!</b> This "UGH" is by no means the pattern or pattern-maker's fault! This was purely a n00b-crocheter's problem. Make this blanket and show me how it can be made right! I actually think I'll try it again. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">And we have friends expecting a girl very soon and I made this set for them for baby pictures.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20782829@N08/5589530007/" title="Baby Cocoon and hat by bethanygknits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5294/5589530007_671cf6f05b_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="Baby Cocoon and hat" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20782829@N08/5590121018/" title="Baby Cocoon and Hat photo props by bethanygknits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5092/5590121018_2653652558_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="Baby Cocoon and Hat photo props" /></a><br /><br />It's a baby cocoon and hat set, and I made different flowers for the hat. They just button on/off. I loved making all those flowers! Can't wait to see baby in them!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20782829@N08/5590120302/" title="hat with alt flower peach by bethanygknits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5226/5590120302_589573c316_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="hat with alt flower peach" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20782829@N08/5589526929/" title="hat with alt flower purples by bethanygknits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5021/5589526929_24cc8f8500_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="hat with alt flower purples" /></a><br /><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">There are more pictures on my flickr account.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">The pattern for the hat is the Shell Stitch Beanie and found on <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/shell-stitch-beanie">Ravelry</a> or <a href="http://thedaintydaisyblog.blogspot.com/2010/04/shell-stitch-beanie.html">here</a>. It's crocheted, which I was very excited about after the blanket snafu. There is a link to the main flower I made from that pattern. Other flowers are knitted and crocheted, and can be found here (Rav link) or here. <span style="font-weight:bold;">(Ok, I can't find the link right now and need to make dinner. I'll come back to edit this!)</span> The rest I just sort of made up as I crocheted along. The main yarn for the cocoon, hat and main flower is Bernat Bamboo in the "linen" colorway and the flower is "wicker" colorway.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">:Quick aside, when I first started knitting, I strongly disliked the word "colorway". Why not just say color? "It's so <i>foofy",</i> I thought. But I get it now. It's just something that does make sense once you've played around with color in yarn and fiber after a while. If it bugs you, start playing with yarn and fiber more. Then tell me what you think. :) /weirdness</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Anyway, that's what I've been up to. It's been fun and motivating and I'm ready to stash dive and find more little fun projects. The girls need flowers for various things-head scarves, a patch on a hoodie, bracelets, rings, a necklace or two... I have enough to keep me busy for years. :) </span></div>bethanyghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04688400173712636411noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3210441707935662707.post-5158854956988189932011-03-26T10:04:00.002-04:002011-03-26T10:06:48.343-04:00Whirlwind!<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">It's been a weird week and Spring break started for Peanut yesterday for 2 weeks, and Goosie on Wednesday for 1.5 weeks. We have no vacation plans.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Derek hired guys to mud and sand the drywall in the basement and they started Thursday, will be back Monday. I'm trying to figure out a color scheme and theme for down there. Crap is everywhere and I can't get into the room that has my shawl pin idea things. (I'll find a way Mandy and Alexis!)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">I finished and gifted 3 baby blankets and tried really hard to get gauge for my new project and I think I've failed-have to measure my dried swatch today, and pray!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">I thought I shed 2 grey hairs today, but it was just one, folded weirdly.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">I keep forgetting to run the dirty dishes, and more are piling up.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Peanut is starting to sneeze, which means she's getting sick.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Goosie is cutting a molar. She gets really cranky in the afternoons. Did I tell you she got hit with a door at school and she has a black eye? It's healing well.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">I'm antsy to plant a garden and it keeps being freezing here. I'm ready for the warmer weather.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">I have a bazillion ideas floating in my head. I can't DO any of them! Ack!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">I haven't emailed my mom once this week and I've intended to call her on 3 days, but suddenly it's been time to make dinner, bathe the kids, do the night routine. Last night I tucked them in at 7:30, fell down on our bed and slept for an hour and a half. Then I woke up, watched "A Walk in the Clouds" with Derek and went back to bed. :)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">I feel like I need to be productive today and I'm not sure what to do. So. Off to plan! (Well, after some catch-up emails!)</span></div>bethanyghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04688400173712636411noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3210441707935662707.post-50610793720523683542011-03-17T19:35:00.003-04:002011-03-17T20:09:41.570-04:00Happy St. Patrick's Day!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">How I love St. Patrick's Day! As per <a href="http://bethanygblogs.blogspot.com/search/label/St.%20Patrick%27s%20Day">our tradition</a>, we started preparing the other day for setting our trap. Yes, we set traps on St. Patrick's Day. We try to catch a leprechaun so that we can get his gold! So we started getting crafty.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">We made a rainbow:</span></div><div><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20782829@N08/5535516767/" title="Prepping the rainbow by bethanygknits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5171/5535516767_1bca2f411d_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="Prepping the rainbow" /></a><br /><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">We made the clouds:</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20782829@N08/5536095356/" title="Making the clouds by bethanygknits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5255/5536095356_a6b3d7c924_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="Making the clouds" /></a><br /><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">I love that you can tell there were two kids who colored this rainbow!! (even if you can't see two kids...;P)</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20782829@N08/5536095912/" title="Rainbow by bethanygknits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5172/5536095912_74c57a3e59_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="Rainbow" /></a><br /><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Last night we set the trap! We put out pot of gold under the rainbow to tempt the tricksy leprechauns, complete with signs warning "Keep Off!" and "Stay Out!" You know how those leprechauns like to do all the things they shouldn't.</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20782829@N08/5536095802/" title="Leprechaun trap by bethanygknits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5096/5536095802_4e33cf782b_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="Leprechaun trap" /></a><br /><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">When we woke this morning, we checked the trap first thing! Did we get one?! The gold wasn't on the steps anymore!! </span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20782829@N08/5535517219/" title="Did we catch one? by bethanygknits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5133/5535517219_631ba283b1_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="Did we catch one?" /></a><br /><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Oh man! Looks like our tricksy leprechaun just managed to escape! He spilled the gold into the trap, but was able to escape our grasp. </span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20782829@N08/5536096068/" title="Leprechaun-free by bethanygknits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5215/5536096068_9ef018069a_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="Leprechaun-free" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Or did he? Peanut was upset that she blinked and fears Goosie may have as well, so while the lucky little guy was in our grasp, we lost him. As the morning went on, Peanut made another discovery--a tricky little leprechaun used our bathroom and didn't flush!! <i>(I know!)</i> There was "green stuff" in the toilet and Goosie said "It's probably cleaner." They then said "Mom, you left cleaner in the toilet." I denied it and said our cleaner isn't green! Peanut gasped loudly: "<i>*gasp!*</i> It's leprechaun pee!!!???" The girls thought that was just too funny. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Once we settled down, we had an authentic St. Patrick's Day breakfast of Lucky Charms, and as we were eating I noticed Peanut had something on her hand. It was a green spot and Goosie shouted out: "A kiss! You got kissed by a leprechaun!" "Yes!!" Peanut cried, "and it's in a heart shape!!" Then we searched Goosie's hand and found a kiss further up near her arm! Oh it was so exciting! And all this before breakfast was finished. :) It was a great start to the day.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">We were able to play outside in gorgeous weather, did some yard work, the girls rode bikes and played some baseball. Then I got the corned beef going and decided to make some rosemary clover rolls and used <a href="http://www.whatwereeating.com/recipes/rosemary-clover-rolls/">this recipe</a>. I was worried when I checked the corned beef and the broth was boiling vs. simmering and the meat was done waaaay ahead of time. I thought it'd be dry and horrible, but it was <i>fantastic</i>! The rolls? Equally fantastic!! I was so happy :) Topped off with a Guinness and then for dessert we had a pumpkin roll. That was so good too! </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">I decided we should be able to have St. Patrick's Day more than once a year. I also am really bummed that tomorrow is Friday, during Lent, and I can't have left overs until Saturday. tsk!</span></div>bethanyghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04688400173712636411noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3210441707935662707.post-11937060056647885212011-03-10T12:10:00.003-05:002011-03-10T12:14:42.379-05:00You're a schmoopy!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Happy Anniversary to Derek and me! Yesterday was 13 years for us. Ah, wedded bliss! Really, our time together has been full of so much happiness, and we're just as schmoopy as we were in the beginning. That makes me so very happy. ~*sigh*~ <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">stares off into the distance all glassy-eyed.</span></i></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">I love you honey. :)</span></div>bethanyghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04688400173712636411noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3210441707935662707.post-84522796943847039162011-03-03T14:11:00.004-05:002011-03-03T14:57:09.634-05:00My Dirty Little Secret<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">We've all got them. I'm about to share mine. Ready? Well, wait. First let me explain some. You know how I like to talk. My friend Tamara and her husband Jean have begun a wine tasting party business until they open their own wine shop. <a href="http://wineshopathome.com/vellozzo">(Go see and shop or book a party here.)</a> So a couple weekends ago, Derek and I hosted a wine tasting party. It was much fun, but of course with having people over comes the scurry and flurry of housekeeping. I do it every day, but there are always those hot spots and nooks and crannies. And flat surfaces. And the floor. And, and, and. </span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Things were looking good-really good if I may say so. Better than it's looked since before kids for sure. Since we moved in maybe! The clutter was gone, things looked crisp and clean. But my thoughts and critical eye brought me to the kitchen. My dreaded stove. I love how my stove, a Maytag, works, but years ago my dad was here and was saying how he liked the neat lines and colors and the like in the house, and just as those words left his mouth, he saw my stove. And he laughed. "That's hysterical!" he said. "NO IT'S NOT! Don't laugh at my gross stove!" I shrieked! Ugh, embarrassed all over the place. (Remember that dad? No? See, yet another parenting moment forever etched in my brain! ;P)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">I've done everything to this stove to try to clean it. Oven cleaner, Bar Keeper's Friend, SOS pads, all sorts of grease cutters, vinegar and baking soda scrubs and soaks, butter knife scraping...all to no avail. I think my father in law even tried once when they were here watching the girls. I was pleased that he couldn't clean them either. I'd throw them in the dishwasher and try to calm my agitation, saying they were surface clean at least. But oh, those burners and trays! </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">We looked at buying replacement parts, but it was over $200 or something silly. That money can be spent in much better ways. :) Then one day, on my knitting website of all places, I received a tip: </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Boil the burners in water with a dryer sheet.</b> </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">What? That's crazy! But what was there to lose? I've done everything else but sandblast the things (which was on the list of possibilities). So, here. Here's proof of my dirty little secret (ugh, and I'm embarrassed, but this tip is too good not to share all over the place):</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20782829@N08/5494588311/" title="DSCN0239 by bethanygknits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5059/5494588311_51ae643be0_m.jpg" width="180" height="240" alt="DSCN0239" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">I know. Look at that. SO gross. So I took the burners and put them in my roaster. Covered them with water and added a dryer sheet and set it to boil. I let it go for about 20-30 minutes, then let them cool in the water until I could touch them. I took a butter knife and all the grody things came <i>right</i> off! I also used a scrubby (the mesh bags that lemons come in). I think the results will speak for themselves.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20782829@N08/5494587451/" title="DSCN0240 by bethanygknits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5018/5494587451_bb00c30320_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="DSCN0240" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20782829@N08/5495179432/" title="DSCN0242 by bethanygknits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5017/5495179432_62bd939689_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="DSCN0242" /></a></div><div><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20782829@N08/5495179432/" title="DSCN0242 by bethanygknits, on Flickr"></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20782829@N08/5494587837/" title="DSCN0243 by bethanygknits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5133/5494587837_e46da4379a_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="DSCN0243" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20782829@N08/5495179790/" title="DSCN0244 by bethanygknits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5052/5495179790_1baf6778fd_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="DSCN0244" /></a><br /><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Look at that! It feels like a brand new stove. So much better now and I don't have to cringe when I walk in to the kitchen. Or anyone else for that matter. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Now, one word of warning. The dryer sheet boiling away isn't the most pleasant of smells. It can really irritate your throat and eyes. Wait for a nice day when windows can be open, and don't stand over it while it's boiling away. Oh, and don't burn yourself! That's two words of warning I suppose. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">So that's it. My dirty little secret. This decade at least. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; ">Really, that's it. (D</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; ">ude, my parents read my blog, yo. ;)</span></div>bethanyghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04688400173712636411noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3210441707935662707.post-39080510302498207662011-02-06T16:16:00.003-05:002011-02-06T16:35:56.688-05:00The Wheels Are Turning...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">But they seem to just be spinning and spinning, and I feel like I'm not getting anywhere. This isn't an anecdote for my fiber spinning either, because that certainly isn't happening. There are so many things going on in my mind, so many things I want to be doing, that I want done and I can't do a single one of them. I'm pulled in a hundred different directions and when I do get a few minutes to sit and relax, a few minutes when I could do the things I want to do, I'm too mentally exhausted. I'm frustrated about it too, and when I get like this I pull back from doing anything-things I want to do and things I need to do- and everything goes to pieces. </span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">In January we were being very careful about spending, I was saving between $40-50 each grocery shopping trip, not spending frivolously and not eating out. We didn't use credit cards and I had to sign the girls up again for gymnastics and buy a new camera. I was very proud! I was feeling great about where we were and the direction we were taking. But now? I'm just run down. I feel like everything I do is undone every day. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Remember that great home management binder I started? I wash the sink and 2 hours later there is either liquid soap dripped all over or toothpaste globbed up. There's always mess on the mirrors - I don't even want to wash those. What's the point? I haven't vacuumed in a week because I can't keep the floor picked up long enough to vacuum. Even with the girls helping, they pick up their things, then we have to run out. We get home, I have to start cooking some meal and they play in the meantime...I didn't get time to get the vacuum out. It's making me crazy. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">So today Peanut has a cough. Nice, wet congested cough. No idea where it came from as she didn't have it as of noon yesterday. She's tired, and cranky and easily crying. Time for a nap. Both girls lay down, I dictate an hour. Who falls asleep? Goosie. Peanut is up there goofing around. It's been 2 hours now, and what have I done with all this wonderful "free time"? Craft? Clean? Nope. Sat here on my behind reading blogs. I'm so frustrated by this! </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">I have to break this cycle. I have to find a way to manage what has to be done at home with the outside the house schedule with free time for me and engaging the girls with activity and nurturing. Maybe it's the mid-winter doldrums kicking in, which is never good, but I just want to hole up in my own pretty world. But right now my world is all cluttery, and even my imaginary escape is just full of one great big to-do list. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">I guess I'll just get it all out there, make one giant to-do list for February and start chipping away. Maybe I'll clear the list up before the end of the month and I can chill out on the 28th. Pffft! I'll put "eat chocolate" first one the list. At least I'll feel accomplished with one thing.</span></div>bethanyghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04688400173712636411noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3210441707935662707.post-43952785755297213702011-02-02T15:45:00.004-05:002011-02-02T16:52:24.341-05:00Snow Day!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">I know, everyone is talking about the weather, but bear with me. I happen to love it. It's about time Michigan look like it's supposed to look in the winter time! We had the day off school of course and I waited for the plow guy to come do our driveway before we went out. </span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20782829@N08/5411028149/" title="This deep against the garage door by bethanygknits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4139/5411028149_72817a750d_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="This deep against the garage door" /></a><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">He plowed the snow onto the sides of our driveway providing for excellent sledding and climbing hills for the girls! Thanks plow guy!</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20782829@N08/5411642034/" title="Sledding! by bethanygknits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5215/5411642034_75ccb72459_m.jpg" width="180" height="240" alt="Sledding!" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20782829@N08/5411641702/" title="Climbing...climbing by bethanygknits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4111/5411641702_d2ff246fee_m.jpg" width="180" height="240" alt="Climbing...climbing" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20782829@N08/5411028715/" title="Ready to go! by bethanygknits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5256/5411028715_393907c800_m.jpg" width="180" height="240" alt="Ready to go!" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20782829@N08/5411641336/" title="Put this here.... by bethanygknits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4099/5411641336_da7ec88a46_m.jpg" width="180" height="240" alt="Put this here...." /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20782829@N08/5411640980/" title="Here I gooooooo! by bethanygknits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4093/5411640980_52a41e9692_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="Here I gooooooo!" /></a><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">I shoveled then and only had to do the sidewalk and the walk to the front door (and find the porch). </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20782829@N08/5411641530/" title="Somewhere there's a walkway by bethanygknits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5018/5411641530_d5c1331610_m.jpg" width="180" height="240" alt="Somewhere there's a walkway" /></a><br /><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">It's much easier to shovel when the snow is just below your waist. Luckily the snow was fluffy. It still took an hour. We definitely got a lot of snow. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20782829@N08/5411641818/" title="It's this deep by bethanygknits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5259/5411641818_269fff2e41_m.jpg" width="180" height="240" alt="It's this deep" /></a><br /><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Unfortunately I realized that our trash can is trapped on the one side of the house too. It's too heavy to move and the snow is almost to my knees over there. We have some great drifts! If all else fails, we'll just put bags by the roadside on trash day and forego the can. Geesh!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">After playing and shoveling, we came in to dry off. The girls immediately got into pajamas instead of clothes. Silly girls. I grabbed the special ingredients for our after-playing-in-the-snow treat. Are you thinking "hot chocolate"? Ha! Hot chocolate (I say with a smirk), we eat hot chocolate for breakfast around here! (Really, we did have it for breakfast today). </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; ">Today, we get to have "Blizzard Ice Cream"! That's right. You know what they say, "When life hands you snow, make ice cream!" Or something like that.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">So, get a big bowl of fresh, top layer, fluffy *white* snow. Here, "big" = 4 quart bowl.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20782829@N08/5411029453/" title="Bowl o' Snow by bethanygknits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5298/5411029453_a6dd133856_m.jpg" width="180" height="240" alt="Bowl o' Snow" /></a><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Top with a can of sweetened condensed milk and 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20782829@N08/5411642258/" title="Sweetened condensed milk with vanilla by bethanygknits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5177/5411642258_2855ebf4df_m.jpg" width="180" height="240" alt="Sweetened condensed milk with vanilla" /></a><br /><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Mix. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20782829@N08/5411641052/" title="Stir by bethanygknits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5212/5411641052_ff4eb6c8a2_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="Stir" /></a><br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span style="font-style:italic;">Really fast.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span></span><i><br /></i><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20782829@N08/5411028475/" title="stir REALLY FAST by bethanygknits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4116/5411028475_6d247f87fc_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="stir REALLY FAST" /></a><br /><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Eat. Listen to your children say "This is better than the store bought ice cream!" Sit back full of satisfaction and smile. What a great snow day!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Also, I think it's time this came down now :)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20782829@N08/5411642500/" title="Think this comes down today! by bethanygknits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5059/5411642500_bc4f3e114b_m.jpg" width="180" height="240" alt="Think this comes down today!" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Disclaimer: Derek checked online and read somewhere (probably his website that he claims has all the correct facts ;P) that you shouldn't eat more than a cup of snow per year because of toxins. Well, I'm thinking that after a blizzard, the air is pretty well scrubbed. Plus, if you only make this after a blizzard, hopefully you only eat this once a year! Enjoy!</span></div>bethanyghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04688400173712636411noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3210441707935662707.post-86938983466829910732011-01-29T21:44:00.003-05:002011-01-29T22:08:48.554-05:00Party Day!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Today was Goosie's birthday party. Her first with friends. She invited 10 girls to join her and Peanut at their gymnastics center and everyone had a great time! They did an obstacle course of the tumble trampoline, </span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20782829@N08/5399348751/" title="Goosie on Tumble Trampoline by bethanygknits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5095/5399348751_4cde853dcd_m.jpg" width="180" height="240" alt="Goosie on Tumble Trampoline" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20782829@N08/5399950008/" title="Peanut on Tumble Trampoline by bethanygknits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5171/5399950008_ae835fda88_m.jpg" width="180" height="240" alt="Peanut on Tumble Trampoline" /></a><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">the balance beam,<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20782829@N08/5399948906/" title="Doing the Course by bethanygknits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5255/5399948906_6fe6ee5e16_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="Doing the Course" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20782829@N08/5399347129/" title="On the beam by bethanygknits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5093/5399347129_088a8f4335_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="On the beam" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">somersaults and </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';">pit-jumping. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20782829@N08/5399346965/" title="More of the course by bethanygknits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5098/5399346965_2756dc052c_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="More of the course" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">The girls also played the parachute game called Sharks and Minnows, or Sharks and Lifeguards as one girl called it. This was hysterical. The girls sat with their legs out straight under the parachute. There was one shark who was under the parachute and would grab the legs of the other girls trying to recruit them as sharks to pull more under. The lifeguard would try to rescue the girls before they were pulled under. It was so funny to watch girls just *poof!* disappear! This is a shot of Goosie getting rescued by two lifeguards and the shark coming out of the water after her! </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20782829@N08/5399347503/" title="Sharks and Minnows by bethanygknits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5173/5399347503_a029866b90_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="Sharks and Minnows" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">This is a cool shot of one little shark under the water~alas, I don't have an underwater camera and the shot is all blurred, but I thought it looked really pretty.</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20782829@N08/5399347683/" title="Cool Parachute Pic by bethanygknits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5176/5399347683_cd2e26ba7e_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="Cool Parachute Pic" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">In no time at all it was cake time. I haven't mentioned the cake yet. Goosie, as always, was specific as to what she wanted: "A cake with Kit's face on it and pink polka dots around it." *gulp* Ok. This kid once again has way too much faith in what her mom can pull off. Weeks ago one of the gymnastic moms I chat with during the girls' classes mentioned doing a chocolate outline and inverting it onto the cake. I was sold on that idea! So, I tried it. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Of course, nothing is without it's challenge. I was out of wax paper and parchment, so I piped it onto a freezer baggie. I piped it with a medicine dropper-the kind that looks like a syringe because I thought I could get finer detail. (I was wrong about that, but it worked.) Kit's freckles were rather large. Noses are very hard to translate with chocolate. Her eyes sort of scared me, and Derek kept teasing because Kit's part and clip were on the wrong side. I kept worrying it looked like Martha Stewart more than Kit. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">But Goosie, my sweet, sweet girl kept saying "It's ok mom. You don't have to get all the details." She LOVED her cake. She was so excited for everyone to see it. She couldn't wait. She, once again, lets mom know what's important. Not being perfect, but trying to give all you can with as much love as you have. </span></div><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20782829@N08/5399948426/" title=""Kit Birthday Cake with Pink Dots" by bethanygknits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5298/5399948426_62ae823301_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt=""Kit Birthday Cake with Pink Dots"" /></a><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Goosie had a really fun time with all her friends, and I think she felt very special to have so many people to celebrate with her this year. I'm thankful that she has such a sweet group of friends and that everyone had a great time. </span></div>bethanyghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04688400173712636411noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3210441707935662707.post-19266227410691884912011-01-26T16:56:00.006-05:002011-01-26T22:35:56.046-05:00Brr, baby! Get Crafty!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">I can't warm up lately, and part of it is our unheated basement. There are vents down there but we'd had them closed off as the basement isn't finished. Another problem is the gale force winds that come in through the front door cracks. Ok, that's a little exaggeration, but there is a breeze. Enter in the door draft stopper. Or draft dodger, but that has a whole different connotation for me. I saw one ages ago and I searched all over for it and kicked myself when I finally did find it again. Of course I had seen it at <a href="http://blog.betzwhite.com/2009/12/holiday-hints-home.html">Betz White's beautiful and inspiring site</a>! I should have looked there first. It looks like a wooden log, with cute leaves on it. Scroll down (slowly, because there are too many other gorgeous things on the way). </span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Not being a stellar sew-er (that is, one that sews), and trying to use up crafty items I already have, I pulled out the felted sweater stash. I bought several at thrift stores over the last couple of years and have started many little projects with them, finishing very few. I never realized the accumulation of grey felted sweaters I had. Knowing that I wanted to make a little log-like draft stopper, I worried that the grey would look bad. I thought about over-dyeing the sweaters to a nice brown. I thought about how I could spritz them with dye to give a mottled look. I thought about how crazy I was and told myself to just buck up and make the darn thing. So, with Peanut as my assistant, we cut arms off sweaters and rolled them up.</span></div><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20782829@N08/5391503187/" title="Roll the sweaters by bethanygknits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5058/5391503187_6f2853bac0_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="Roll the sweaters" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Then Peanut helped me sew each rolled sweater so it wouldn't unroll.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20782829@N08/5391504963/" title="Peanut sews the rolled sweater by bethanygknits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5254/5391504963_e74437070c_m.jpg" width="180" height="240" alt="Peanut sews the rolled sweater" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Then we seamed the three sweaters together, and I tried to have the bulkiest on the "base" of the branch, and the thinnest on what would be the "end" of the branch.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20782829@N08/5392104674/" title="Sew rolled sweaters together by bethanygknits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5015/5392104674_555f08a3f0_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="Sew rolled sweaters together" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">To make the "end" of the branch look more like the end, I cut the roll in two and sewed the ends so that the branch ended in a fork.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20782829@N08/5392104874/" title="Branch end by bethanygknits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5018/5392104874_24a45abb7b_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="Branch end" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Next we needed to embellish a little bit. Peanut added a flower and chose a nice button for the center<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20782829@N08/5391503935/" title="Peanut added a flower by bethanygknits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5134/5391503935_c3cfd2310a_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="Peanut added a flower" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">and I rolled up half of a sleeve and seamed it to hold in a small branch shape and attached that to the main branch. I also added an owl with awesome stash buttons that were perfect for some owlie eyes.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20782829@N08/5392105036/" title="Owl on a branch by bethanygknits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5057/5392105036_2080f4a40a_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="Owl on a branch" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Here's the finished project, doing it's job!<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20782829@N08/5392105416/" title="Branch draft stopper by bethanygknits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5054/5392105416_758ac5299d_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="Branch draft stopper" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">We had a lot of fun making this and it took maybe an hour. A bonus to sewing felted sweaters is the stitches are so easily hidden. I just did a running stitch (and just had to look up the name for what I was doing) and a whip stitch (knew that name!) for attaching the branch and owl and seaming the owl as well.<br /><br />So, if you're feeling cold and can't warm up, break out the stash in whatever form you have. Fabric? Seam up a tube and stuff it. Yarn? Knit or crochet up a tube and stuff that. Or, make it super quick and roll up some felted sweaters. Have fun, and stay warm!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span>bethanyghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04688400173712636411noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3210441707935662707.post-25250811596250125902011-01-25T14:12:00.009-05:002011-01-25T20:12:16.700-05:00The Problem With Homemade Bread<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20782829@N08/5389080610/" title="Rise baby Rise! by bethanygknits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5212/5389080610_564233d3dc_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="Rise baby Rise!" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Really, the problem is that I eat it. I can have a store-bought loaf in the house and never consider it. But Sunday I decided to make bread. I had a store-bought loaf of wheat, but that doesn't go with Beans and Franks, which was on the dinner menu by request. So, I needed white bread, and I needed to make it because YUM. I used <a href="http://ayearinbread.earthandhearth.com/2007/05/t-his-bread-which-i-call-farmhouse.html">this </a> recipe. I didn't have instant yeast, but it was fine. I didn't have enough milk, so I did 1/2 milk and 1/2 water, and it was fine. I didn't even have enough loaf pans, and it was fine! Here's a shot of the vessels I used instead of loaf pans, and I have to say it was really fun finding different tins to use. <br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20782829@N08/5389048580/" title="The Vessels by bethanygknits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5051/5389048580_0f69ca864b_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="The Vessels" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20782829@N08/5388473869/" title="Dough in cooking vessels by bethanygknits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5298/5388473869_2fe63f2919_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="Dough in cooking vessels" /></a><br />Research (read: Googling) has shown you can also use large cans, like the kinds veggies might come in (with all labels and glue removed) or even a large mouth canning jar was suggested by a wonderful Reclaiming the Home friend. </span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">I was nervous about greasing properly so that the bread would come out right-there's nothing more worrisome in the kitchen than investing time into cooking or baking and having it not come out right-but all the bread turned out really well. <br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20782829@N08/5388474073/" title="Mmmm bread by bethanygknits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5179/5388474073_178b2420e3_m.jpg" width="180" height="240" alt="Mmmm bread" /></a><br />Too well, I think, as all I want is this bread lightly toasted and topped with butter and jam. Sigh, break out the leek soup! </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">I hope you try to make your own bread, at least once. This recipe is pretty fool-proof. I recommend you follow the recipe as-is for the first time, as with any recipe, then you can make notes on the recipe and tweak it next time. <br /><br />When making this bread, I wondered why store-bought bread adds things into the bread that doesn't seem necessary. High-fructose corn syrup? Why? Doesn't it cost more to add ingredients that aren't needed to make something delicious? I know some ingredients make the bread last longer on the shelf too, and again I ask why? Do we not run to Starbucks or Biggby Coffee, or Tim Horton's or other coffee shop for a delicious, special-crafted delight? This is how our bread should be too. There are plenty of bakeries around too if you opt not to bake your own. It's just worth it. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Meghan of <a href="http://stitchitpodcast.com/">Stitch-It! Podcast</a> recently mentioned this as well--must be bread-making season. She discussed some ladies she works with eating grapefruit from cans and not feeling satisfied. Meghan stated she'd rather peel her own, bite into the grapefruit, or dig her spoon in and dig it out. It's like a bite is a reward for working for it. This is true and something I've been working on in my eating experiences for a couple months now. Eating is an all-sensory experience, and I truly feel more satisfied when I enjoy my food with all the senses. Peeling an orange or grapefruit, having the oils of the peel splash up a bit, the sharp tangy scent that awakens your brain. It makes that fruit so satisfying. To read more about enjoying your food like that, and perhaps changing your perspective on food and eating on the whole, I recommend reading <a href="http://frenchwomendontgetfat.com/content/emfrench-women-dont-get-fatem-sup®sup">"French Women Don't Get Fat"</a> by Mireille Guiliano. It made me conscious of walking, eating and drinking all the time. Very inspiring! Her <a href="http://frenchwomendontgetfat.com/">website</a> has lots of good information, tips and recipes as well. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">She even allows eating good bread. :)</span></div>bethanyghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04688400173712636411noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3210441707935662707.post-65398137408850062022011-01-24T19:00:00.001-05:002011-01-24T20:04:07.461-05:00Larynx TransplantI'm a Speech-Language Pathologist, and I ran across <a href="http://singularityhub.com/2011/01/22/woman-speaks-with-her-own-voice-after-larynx-transplant-video/">this article</a> and was very excited! I've not seen this before and wanted to share. I've done cadaveric dissection and know what the larynx looks like first hand. I've seen all the parts in our throat that allow us speech. I've seen the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larynx">nerves and blood vessels and cartilages and musculature</a> that connects here, and know the ramifications of injury to these. I know the hard work it takes to retrain the muscles to function properly for speech and swallowing, but I also know the hardship of having to carry and use an <a href="http://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=electronic+larynx&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8#q=electronic+larynx&hl=en&client=safari&rls=en&prmd=ivns&source=univ&tbs=shop:1&tbo=u&ei=x2Q8TZPDEs-tgQeYksGeCA&sa=X&oi=product_result_group&ct=title&resnum=3&ved=0CDkQrQQwAg&biw=1256&bih=580&fp=25a0b2344dc0e416">electric larynx</a> (and check those prices!). I've trained a patient in how to use one and he was so disgusted with the whole thing, he chose for a long time to just use hand gestures. Not always kind ones. And I understood. Frustration! Embarrassment! <div><br /></div><div>I wish this woman well. I am so happy that her quality of life is returning to her ideal. Ah, a shower again! Swimming! Eating tube-free! Freedom!</div>bethanyghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04688400173712636411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3210441707935662707.post-24998760130648465552011-01-23T11:09:00.004-05:002011-01-23T12:04:52.855-05:00Goosie Turns Six!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Six? Six!? Yes, six. How do these kids get so big so fast, when we parents stop aging? I've no idea. Her birthday was really fantastic. Derek worked from home in the morning and took the afternoon off, so in the morning Goosie opened cards and her birthday gift from her sister. Peanut chose a Barbie for her-a Happy Birthday Barbie with a crown for Barbie and a matching crown for Goosie. :) They played Barbies and then Goosie and I went shopping for an outfit and a toy with gift card money from Grandma Sue. I took a picture of the outfit on my new camera, but I'm having trouble with the computer reading the memory card and can't get the photos off. Grr. But Target has a cute line of girls clothes right now by <a href="http://www.target.com/D-Signed-Favorite-Characters-Kids/b/ref=sc_iw_r_6_0_13142261?node=2380275011">Alex Russo</a> that is really cute and not smutty and doesn't have dumb little saying on it like "I'm a brat". Can you tell I have some issues with girls' clothes? </span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Anyway, Goosie picked out the blue striped shirt in the first pic in that link, green headband with the flower in the second pic, the cream colored shirt in third pic, and the skirt in the last pic. We also found a zippered hoodie sweater on clearance that matches perfectly. They make for really adorable outfits! The following day she wore pants with the striped shirt and her sweater, her new headband, and our friend Kathy gave us shoes she had gotten a while back but her girlie missed the right size/time of year to wear them. Well, they went great with this outfit, and Goosie was simply adorable in all her new things. </span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Goosie also was able to get a toy and she chose Polly Pocket. Yes, Polly has returned to the household. Peanut received some for her birthday in September, and the girls were better at dressing them. Anyone who has had Polly in their home knows that dressing rubber dolls with rubber clothes is nearly impossible, and by the time you can, you are too old to enjoy playing with them. But the girls were getting better, so I allowed it, and the girls play so well together I didn't want to deny another thing they could play. So we get it, get home, cut the package open, and what did the fine Polly Pocket people do? They gave Polly some athlete legs and big feet. Yes. She has huge feet and calves now. But did they make her pant legs wider? No. So mom's back to dressing Polly for all her events now. *sigh* A plea to Polly Pocket producers--could you try dressing her before you sell her? Or maybe have some kid testers? I'll volunteer my girls as your testers. Really. Maybe I'll email Polly herself and farm my kids out. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Ahem. Back to the birthday girl. By now it was lunchtime and we were ready to go. We trucked out to Chuck E. Cheese's and had a great time! Pizza and salad and games and trinkets and pencil drawings--it was much fun. The girls were so thrilled when a big row of tickets comes out of the machines. After a couple hours there, it was time for the Big Event. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">All day Goosie just kept saying "I'm so happy." Later she'd say again, "I'm so happy!" To herself. Out of the blue. "I'm so happy!" She made a very grown up decision, discussed it with us and Derek and I discussed it between ourselves, and we agreed yes, she could get her ears pierced if she really wanted to. We talked to friends about it. About how it felt, the aftercare of them, and in the end, everyone said "It's worth it!" So....</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">I filled out the paperwork and Goosie wriggled in excitement.</span></div><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20782829@N08/5381331364/" title="waitingforearpiercing-20110120 by bethanygknits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5083/5381331364_1da1d0be18_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="waitingforearpiercing-20110120" /></a><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">She sat still while she had the marks put on her ears so she wouldn't look lopsided</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20782829@N08/5380728299/" title="markingforpiercing-2011-1-20 by bethanygknits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5290/5380728299_48eaa948db_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="markingforpiercing-2011-1-20" /></a><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">She held my hands tightly while she got her first earring put in</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20782829@N08/5380728201/" title="nervoussmileearpiercing-20110120 by bethanygknits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5288/5380728201_52510387e1_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="nervoussmileearpiercing-20110120" /></a><br /><br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">She didn't cry! (I did.) She said the first one didn't hurt, but the second one did. She cried a bit, but really, she did so SO well! We didn't get a picture right after because we were hugging her and telling her how well she did and daddy scooped her up in a big hug and wiped away tears, and then she was all smiles. And what earrings did she choose?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20782829@N08/5380862727/" title="Pretty Earrings by bethanygknits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5209/5380862727_aece7bde5b_m.jpg" width="180" height="240" alt="Pretty Earrings" /></a><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Aren't they pretty? Oh you guys, how do they grow up so fast?! </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">It was a wonderful birthday and she got to choose her dinner too-McDonald's, ick. I chose Panera for me :) But, in her new-found six-year-old wisdom she said "McDonald's toys are crappy!" Yes! They are! So is the food! Want a bite of my soup? haha, I'll convert her soon. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">The next day she had school, wore her new outfit with her matching earrings and brought her treat and wore the birthday crown-she was just so excited. What a great celebration. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Next weekend is her party, her first with friends. It's at the gymnastics center where the girls take classes, and she invited 10 other little girls. Oh what fun we'll have!</span></div></div>bethanyghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04688400173712636411noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3210441707935662707.post-7002961291599515102011-01-17T13:21:00.005-05:002011-01-17T14:16:35.143-05:00Ja-new-ary<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Goosie is reading and phonetically spelling in a really impressive way. She drew me a picture and wrote "Janewary" on it so I'd always know when she made it. I looked at her spelling and prefer it to "January" since I (along with so many others) look at what I accomplished in the previous year and evaluate what I want to do in the next. I'm not one for resolutions, but I love lists. One year I bought a pretty journal and made a list of 42 things I wanted to do. I think I did about 40 of them. I know I never got that pedicure. </span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">This year, I wanted to be on a better homemaking routine. Things are coming together here at my home. The living room no longer looks like a toy store or a day care, unless the toys are actively being played with. The Dora Castle is stored in the basement because it's not played with daily. The "baby set" with beds, a swing and a highchair is down there too with strollers and baby cradles and carriers. There's some order here and there but it can all too easily be torn apart and trashed. I want to be more vigilant. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Ladies on the Reclaiming the Home group on Ravelry started talking home management binders, and there are tons of printables out there to make your lists/calendars/dividers etc. exactly the way you want them. I had started one a couple years ago, but as I pulled it out to modify it this Janewary, I laughed and instantly realized why the home management binder never worked for me: all it had in it was knitting patterns and recipes! Ah-ha!! These two things, which I love dearly, will not help me to keep my household in order! </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">So, organizing began. I kept the front cover, artwork from Goosie when she was 3.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20782829@N08/5346409855/" title="Front Cover by bethanygknits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5281/5346409855_fb507b8c7d_m.jpg" width="180" height="240" alt="Front Cover" /></a><br /><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">I went slowly and only worked a few minutes at a time on it, over several days. It's still easily adaptable, which is exactly how I like it. My to-do lists include daily, weekly, monthly and seasonal chores. I have one printable from <a href="http://www.simplemom.net/">Simplemom.net</a> that has weekly/daily/monthly tasks all on one sheet. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20782829@N08/5346410579/" title="Weekly Master Checklist by bethanygknits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5204/5346410579_ffef0b27e6_m.jpg" width="180" height="240" alt="Weekly Master Checklist" /></a><br /><br />I designated zones for each week ala <a href="http://www.flylady.com/">Fly Lady</a>, but I can't follow her regiment and get all the emails and look at her site too much. For a program that helps you get rid of clutter, the site is completely cluttered! However, there are some good points, tips and tricks there if you can pilfer through and find them. My zones are based on the number of weeks in a month, so week 1 zone is Entrances, porch, one bedroom. Zone 2 is Kitchen. Zone 3 is Bathroooms, one bedroom. Zone 4 is Master bedroom, and Zone 5 is Living/Dining room. I work on zone tasks on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Saturdays if needed, or if I feel like delegating out some tasks.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20782829@N08/5347020260/" title="Monthly Cleaning list and zone list by bethanygknits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5210/5347020260_3c951e35e9_m.jpg" width="180" height="240" alt="Monthly Cleaning list and zone list" /></a><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">I have each day of the week focusing on certain tasks too: Mondays are my heaviest days, including one load of laundry (wash, fold, put away, and put away handwashing done on Sat.). Then I clean all 3 bathrooms (sinks, toilets, mirrors, tub, shower). I dust the whole house and vacuum the whole house. But notice I don't mop bathroom floors when I clean the rest of the bathrooms--I do that on Wednesday when I do all the hard floors in the house.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20782829@N08/5346410203/" title="Daily Cleaning List by bethanygknits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5084/5346410203_06a0738fc7_m.jpg" width="180" height="240" alt="Daily Cleaning List" /></a><br /><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">I just had to separate out tasks throughout the week, and some things I had to do when the girls are in school. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">I'm at this point where I'm getting awfully antsy about things in this house. We have a nice home and we ALL need to take care of it. Blinders have to come off sometime, and we all need to do our parts. Heck, last week I handed Peanut a wash rag and had her locate and clean all the doorknobs in the house. Goosie got her own wash rag and she wiped every baseboard she could see. They both also have their own To-Do lists and the best part about these lists? They are in page protectors and there's a dry erase marker that we use to cross off each task. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; ">It's very satisfying to see the big list at the beginning of the week become completely covered in blue at the end of the week!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20782829@N08/5346412209/" title="Girls' Chore List by bethanygknits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5050/5346412209_98528ff057_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="Girls' Chore List" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Of course I need monthly calendars in my binder too, and I went to About.com for some blank calendars, and I had the girls decorate their birthday months for me,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20782829@N08/5346411497/" title="January monthly page by bethanygknits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5088/5346411497_0a55cc439b_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="January monthly page" /></a><br /><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">and facing that calendar month I have a monthly to do list, parties to get ready for, birthdays, field trips, due dates, knitting goals and deadlines...all of it. When February comes, I'll put it in front of the month of January so it can face the "to-do list" for the month too. I didn't have the girls decorate all the months either. In my search for printable calendars, I ran across some awesome inspiring artwork on <a href="http://etsy.com/">etsy</a> and I wanted to buy several calendars. Then I figured I should hone my own skills and get some art in my life in the form of drawing again. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">So, it's a start for me. I'm working hard at it and I'm teaching my girls to work hard at it too. It doesn't take too long at all, if we keep it up, and working together makes it fun too. Well, you know, not fun like eating ice cream fun, but fun to see a sense of pride in the work.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">But mostly? Mom's not going insane with all the junk, clutter, trash, doll clothes, Barbie shoes, Lego bits, paper doll stands, tea party items, stuffed animals, headbands, shredded pieces of tissue paper, Lite Brite papers and pegs, parachute guys and horses all over the floor. (Yes, that is an inventory of what's on my floor right now. And I wonder why MY Dyson IS the only vacuum in the world that doesn't maintain it's suction).</span></div>bethanyghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04688400173712636411noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3210441707935662707.post-38996016406391415332011-01-07T21:51:00.004-05:002011-01-07T22:03:16.544-05:00Occupy Yourselves<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">"Occupy yourselves" I said, "I've got some work to do." "Ok mom" they replied. They started playing games, for hours. They got the foot stool to get some down themselves even. </span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20782829@N08/5334281171/" title="Game day by bethanygknits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5127/5334281171_6e9da2c114_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="Game day" /></a><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Busy, huh? I think there was a puzzle or two thrown in and some paper doll play as well. They play so well together and it pleases me to no end.<br /><br />Later I had them put on the snow garb and I kicked them out onto the deck. It's mom's sneaky way of not having to go out in the freezing cold, but the girls get to play and have fun. They have evolved this winter to building snow castles, packing cups with snow and inverting them. But then, they still like to eat snow, of course. I caught Peanut licking the snow off the arm rest at one point. :) </span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20782829@N08/5334281019/" title="Snow fun! by bethanygknits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5164/5334281019_a6a3168322_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="Snow fun!" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20782829@N08/5334280863/" title="more fun! by bethanygknits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5250/5334280863_d0512a1002_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="more fun!" /></a><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Anyway, they make me proud, these girls. </span>bethanyghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04688400173712636411noreply@blogger.com1